Our Founding

In 1525, some three hundred years after St Francis first received permission to live this life in 1209, a Friar by the name of Matteo da Bascio sought to return to the simplicity of a literal observance of the rule of St. Francis, desiring its austerity, poverty, and prayerful nature. Matteo was also concerned that the habit worn by the Franciscans was not one that St. Francis had worn, thus, he made himself a pointed hood, allowed his beard to grow, and went about barefooted. Though his way of life was not viewed as one that would last, he was soon joined by other friars who shared his desire for renewal, and in 1528, with the Bull Religionis Zelus, Pope CIement VII approved their way of life.

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These early Capuchins had a rough beginning; there were several attempts to suppress and restrict their growth; even after others continued to join them they were initially forbidden to extend outside of Italy. The defection to Protestantism of their vicar-general, Bernardino Ochino, in 1542 all but ruined them; nevertheless, they increased rapidly and by 1571 numbered 17,000 members. They played a pivotal role, alongside the newly-founded Jesuits, in the later stages of the Counter-Reformation, appealing especially to the common and country people with their honest preaching and acts of service.

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The Capuchins were allowed to expand freely from 1574 and were in 1619 constituted into an independent order. Throughout the subsequent centuries the Capuchins are noted for their heroic ministry during the deadly epidemics that plagued Europe and elsewhere from the 16th to the 18th century. Today there are fifteen Capuchins saints, the most well-known being St Pio of Pietrelcina, and dozens Capuchin Blesseds. The Capuchins number over 10,000 friars, and are in over one hundred countries, on every continent of the world.